MOBILITY SOLUTIONS

A STRUCTURE THAT PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPMENTS IN URBAN MOBILITY

With 3.3 billion urban dwellers in 2016 – over half of the world’s population – and the perspective of 65% of the population living in increasingly large cities by 2050, our society is facing a global mobility challenge for both freight and passengers. The context is one of urbanisation, metropolisation and an ageing population.

In light of the increasing demand for mobility, it is therefore essential to anticipate and limit the impacts. To meet the new challenges of mobility and urban transport, including cutting emissions and noise, reducing social disparities and regional inequalities, changes in use and the prevention of risks, CARA proposes a systemic approach to overcoming obstacles, whether technical, regulatory or socio-economic.

The full range of issues created by this challenge is tackled within CARA, as part of a global approach from the idea to market launch, via 5 strategic research programmes combining engineering sciences and human/social sciences.

MOTORISATION & THE DRIVE CHAIN

Reducing the impact of transport on the climate and pollution in dense urban areas involves continuing efforts to develop clean, fuel-efficient drive chains. In light of the wide range of potential energy sources, the most appropriate technological solution needs to be sought for each different use of freight and passenger mobility.

SAFETY & SECURITY

The aim of the Safety & Security programme is to meet the increasing societal demand for safety (preventing and controlling accidents and their consequences) and security (protecting people and freight from malicious intentions) in all aspects of transport and mobility, with a particular focus on the development of vehicle connectivity and autonomy.

VEHICLE ARCHITECTURE

The Vehicle Architecture programme covers all innovative technology and solutions (excluding motorisation) that can be rolled out to improve the attractiveness, comfort and technical, environmental and economic performance of vehicles transporting passengers and freight.

INTELLIGENCE IN TRANSPORT SYSTEMS

Developing new ranges of services and global transport solutions requires coordination of all the entities of the “transport system”, namely vehicles, infrastructures and the operating modes and organisation of the urban system. The emergence of new means of transport, such as autonomous vehicles, emphasises the need to anticipate, control and adapt interactions between the various technological elements, concepts or bricks. In other words, the “intelligence” of the system needs to be developed.

MODELLING & MANAGING MOBILITY

Demographic changes, together with the emergence of new methods and uses in a context of economic downturn and multiple environmental challenges, call for new solutions to organise the transport system. Rather than creating new infrastructures, these solutions lie in optimising existing infrastructures or developing new services, designed in close cooperation with the areas concerned.